Celexa

[solitary man]

I have just prescribed Celexa, and I've actually bit the proverbial bullet and started taking them.

The first night was torture, due to the nausea, but it has gotten better.

I know some medication takes several weeks to kick in, but I must admit that I do feel different, if not better than I have in a long while.

I've done research on the possible side effects, maybe too much, which has caused me great concern in the past, but will now try to see if I can get rid of this monkey that I've carried on my back for far too long.

 

[Retired]

Celexa (citalopram) is in the class of anti depressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)

The reported incidence of nausea according to the U.S. monograph is 25%, meaning that one out of four people who take this medication will experience nausea.

Nausea is not an unusual side effect for this type of medication and is shared by all compounds in this class of drugs.

In most cases the nausea goes away after a week or two as your body becomes acclimated to the change in brain chemistry, and as the blood levels attain steady state.

Steady-state plasma citalopram concentrations are attained after about 1 week and are linearly related to dose [Baumann and Larsen 1995].

This is the point where the amount of drug consumed equals the amount of drug excreted. Your doctor will usually wait until the drug has reached steady state before modifying the dosage.

However if you find the nausea really impossible to tolerate, contact your doctor and explain the nausea is too difficult to tolerate.

There are usually ways your doctor can help you by sometimes adding another medication to alleviate the nausea, or perhaps change the loading dose you are starting with.

Some people report that taking the medication at bedtime sometimes helps to alleviate the nausea.

Did your doctor discuss the potential for drug interactions with Celexa (citalopram)?

Again, according to the product monograph, this medication has the potential for drug interaction with other medications, so your doctor should be aware of all prescribed and over the counter meds you use including any herbal or alternative therapies.

You can check for potential drug interactions by using one of the online interaction checkers listed HERE

 

[David Baxter PhD]

To add to what Steve has said, Celexa is usually pretty well tolerated. If you find that the sidce-effects do not go away within a week to 10 days, ask your doctor about Cipralex, which is chemically similar to Celexa but even less likely to result in adverse side-effec ts.

 

[Into The Light]

i didn't seem to have too much trouble with the celexa when i first started on it in terms of side-effects. a bit of dry mouth for a week or so, and that was it. it's been good to me otherwise.

 

[solitary man]

Well it's been almost 3 months to the date I started and Celexa, and all I can say is....WOW!:dance3:

Yes, there were times that were rough, but that was more to do with certain people and situations, but I was more emotionally prepared and most definitely mentally stronger to handle them without falling apart.

Even this past Christmas holidays were good, it was the first time in a very long time, that I didn't feel utterly depressed and wasn't a miserable fart around my family and friends.

I got what I wanted for Christmas....a sense of peace within myself and most importantly....CLARITY!

Happy New Year Folks!!!

 

[David Baxter PhD]

That's excellent news, solitary man!

[sign]Happy New Year![/sign]

 

[Halo]

That is great to hear solitary man :yahoo:

 

[Into The Light]

that is absolutely wonderful! i am so glad the black cloud has lifted for you! :yahoo:

 

[lallieth]

That's great to hear,congrats on your progress

 

[ladylore]

Well it's been almost 3 months to the date I started and Celexa, and all I can say is....WOW!:dance3:

Yes, there were times that were rough, but that was more to do with certain people and situations, but I was more emotionally prepared and most definitely mentally stronger to handle them without falling apart.

Even this past Christmas holidays were good, it was the first time in a very long time, that I didn't feel utterly depressed and wasn't a miserable fart around my family and friends.

I got what I wanted for Christmas....a sense of peace within myself and most importantly....CLARITY!

Happy New Year Folks!!!

I love it when this kind of thing happens - Congrats Solitary Man, you truely do deserve to have that clarity and peace.